How a makeup artist gets the perfect holiday lips

MJMA's concepts and designs come from the creative mind of Melanie Blake. Melanie is a professional makeup artist, licensed esthetician, entrepreneur, and laser technician. After nearly a decade in the industry, Melanie’s career has br...

Get the perfect holiday lips with these tips

Being a professional makeup artist, I can definitively say that lipsticks are my absolute favorite product. Ever since I was a small child, it has been instilled in me that lipstick is the one product you need to look put-together. My grandmother always warned me you were never to be without your lipstick on — who knows who could knock at the door at any time!

That being said, I was never without my Avon hand-me-down lipsticks from my grandmother, starting at the age of 5. The obsession never left me, and I can honestly say that my home collection of lip liners and lipsticks rival that of any makeup store. I have worn and tried countless brands and colors, and I've narrowed down my absolute favorite colors and formulas. Being that the holidays are here and in full force, I want to focus on the classic, gorgeous holiday hues ranging from cherry red to deep wine!

There are a few things you need to have in order to make your pout perfect:

Step 1:

Start by taking a small amount of lip scrub and rubbing it all over lips and surrounding skin. Rinse off and pat lips dry. This sugar-based scrub gently removes dead skin and makes lips smooth and soft.

Bonus: It also enhances blood flow to the lips and makes them temporarily appear fuller!

Step 2:

Next, apply MAC Prep + Prime Lip onto lips and slightly past the natural lip line. This wax-based primer is colorless, keeps your lips hydrated by locking in moisture and keeps any lip products from “feathering” or “bleeding” into fine lines around your mouth. It also makes for a much smoother and easier application of lipliner and lipstick and helps anchor the color to your lips.

Tip: Don’t apply too much, and let it set for about 10 minutes for even better results!

Step 3:

Next, take your favorite lipstick and apply it to your lips. You can apply directly from the tube or with a small lip brush for a more precise application. Then, take a very sharp coordinating lipliner and line the outer rim of your natural lip line.

Tip: You can apply lipstick or lipliner first.

If you are new to darker colors, it is easier to apply lipstick all over first. No one’s lips are symmetrical, and if you attempt a dark liner first you will take too much time trying to make them even. It is faster and less frustrating to apply color all over and then clean up edges with a liner. If you want to finish off with a gloss, only apply to the very inner center of your lips! Gloss moves, and by the end of the day/night it will spread evenly over the lips. You don’t want gloss all over your face.